The Axbridge Turtles race team took part in their first regatta held at Chew Valley Lake.

CHEDDAR Sailing’s new race team the Axbridge Turtles Feva Team took part in their first regatta at the 2014 Schools and Youth Sailing Regatta at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club.

For most of the youngsters aged 10 to 16 years, this was their first taste of competition outside of their home club.

Participation was made possible thanks to the club’s recent investment in new race sails, aided by sponsorship from www.2ndhanddinghies.com

The day started with light winds and 47 youth sailors competed in trying conditions. Race one started with a perfect wind and perfect start, so good that the whole rookie fleet ignored their smaller course and sailed straight past the nearer windward marker to hassle the silver fleet.

Axbridge Turtles Taddy Horacek and Abi Campbell got off to a great start and crossed the finish line in first place for the silver fleet, followed by Ben Miles and Toby Dawkins in second, and team-mates Ellie Hill/Finn Pritchard in fifth and Issy Pritchard/Anna Horackova in 11th

Race two had a chaotic start in little wind. Once the sailors had made it to the windward mark, the finish was moved to the wing mark. Taddy and Abi held onto their lead to take first place in the silver fleet in the am series, while Ben Miles and Toby Dawkins finished fifth, which was enough to give them fourth overall.

Ellie Hill/Finn Pritchard and Issy Pritchard/Anna Horackova were placed seventh and 11th in the morning series.

The wind dropped to virtually nothing in the afternoon, favouring the single-handed Toppers and Teras, until the fleet were on their way home when it picked up in pleasant sunshine, prompting the Turtles to go for a good blast before returning to shore.

Thanks go to Chew and AllAboard for hosting the regatta.